Fashion Across the Globe
What people wear is quintessential to their self expression and is a unique form of artwork. One’s style is heavily influenced by where one is from and the traditions they grow up with. Fashion trends found on the runway vary greatly based on location, and this article explores these varying trends in 2024 and their cultural influences in a few countries from each continent across the globe.
The first destination on our trip across the globe is the United States. The US has influenced many fashion trends that have expanded to cater to all the continents. Here we will focus on the recent highlights of the New York Fashion Week which took place in early February. New York is the largest hub for fashion in the States, and from Fashion Week there are several trends that have come to light for 2024. One of these is bubble skirts. Short flowy skirts as such have been trending in streetwear fashion throughout the country, but the runway this year was full of a new take on this.
Another trend that has permeated the runway is scarves and head coverings. While this may not be a trend for the summer months, during the fall and winter of 2024 bright colored scarves and head coverings such as balaclavas and knit caps will be all the rage.
Lastly, fun and different usages of the plaid pattern were common on the runway. Plaid has been a staple in the States for years, as it brings about a preppy look. However, this year the runway showed more irregular uses of plaid such as sequined plaid and an overlay of plaid with other patterns. Plaid is making a comeback!
Paris! Our next stop is in Europe in one of the largest fashion capitals of the world. Paris is home to world renowned designers and artists such as Jean Paul Gaultier and Hubert de Givenchy. Most recently at the Paris Fashion Week there was an air of French Western Styles found on the runway. This was mixed with a variety of different forms of jackets: cinched-waist jackets, trench coats, and rounded shoulder overcoats.
This year the proper and structured culture of the Parisian people is depicted greatly through the fashion found on the runway. The styles of the Paris runways are slightly similar to those found in New York in ways of their winter or warmer fashion. Both of these cities are centers for fashion around the world and yet the trends found in each differ vastly.
As we continue in our journey across the globe, we arrive in Morocco, Africa. Each year the Marrakech Fashion Show is held in Morocco, and it displays a variety of talent fostered in Africa and Arabic countries. The fashion trends in these shows are influenced greatly by the rich culture of the continent. In 2023 when the last show took place, the show was full of bright colors, flowing gowns, and unique intricate patterns. These trends in the clothes mimic many of the local traditions and break away from the pattern of more neutral, solid colors found in Europe and the US. The pictures below depict the beautiful pieces from Maison ARTC, an African boutique, that were a major hit in Morocco.
As we mark the halfway point of our global tour, we land in Tokyo, Japan, home of some of the greatest designers and the largest fashion hub of Asia. A major avenue of fashion in Tokyo is streetwear, whose influences can be seen even on the runway . During Tokyo Fashion Week in the late summer of 2023, there was a major emphasis on such streetwear. Similar to Paris, there were many instances of dramatic outerwear and jackets.
Among the streetwear, there are a lot of neutral colors present. From black and white to different shades of gray and brown, the runway fashion focused on more everyday wear. The streetwear theme also gave a large focus on the attendees and their outfits as well, emphasizing the universality of fashion.
Going back to the Americas, this time we are stopping in São Paulo, Brazil! South America’s fashion and beauty industry centers in the city with new trends found on the runway each year. The latest show occurred in November of 2023 and unlike New York’s and Paris’s shows the clothing featured is much lighter and brighter. This reflects the much warmer climate in Brazil during the fall and winter months.
Many flowing dresses were featured in the shows along with an emphasis on asymmetry. This is shown through asymmetric sleeve lengths and color patterns which add an interesting element to many of the pieces. Along with this, there were many instances of high-necks and cowl necks in many of the dress shirts. This is unique to the Brazil show and was not seen in many other looks in other cities.
Last but not least, we are headed to Australia! Australian fashion is heavily influenced by that of Europe and the States, but due to its warmer climate has a refreshing element to its trends. Here we will stop by the Melbourne Fashion Show which just occurred in early March of 2024. This show, similar to Japan, was full of streetwear fashion. However, unlike Japan the pieces were much lighter and were full of mismatched patterns.
Patterned trousers and skirts were extremely popular. From plaid to floral the Melbourne show was filled with it all. Long dresses were also a prevalent choice, adorned with mesh flowering or even pearls. Melbourne’s fashion show depicted an ornate street style which juxtaposed the more neutral streetwear seen in Japan.
As our trip across the globe comes to an end, we have seen fashion trends from all over the world. From runway and streetwear fashion it is evident that fashion is influenced by the culture and climate of the country. Each continent also has many avenues of expressing their creative pieces through an annual fashion week. Fashion trends are constantly evolving in all locations, influenced by cultural shifts and the creativity of designers, and as the world progresses fashion will become more accessible and interconnected across the world.
Featured Image Courtesy of Spotlight Launchmetrics